HC Deb 12 July 1916 vol 84 cc340-1
46. Colonel AUBREY HERBERT

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give a day for the discussion of the conduct of the campaign in Mesopotamia?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

I do not think that the present moment is opportune for such a discussion, but I will, of course, bear my hon. Friend's question in mind.

Sir E. CARSON

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman is this House and the country never to get, from time to time, any kind of reports of what is going on in Mesopotamia? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if these reports are being purposely kept back? May I also ask him whether he does not know that there is amongst a considerable portion of people, who have had communications from that country, and from gentlemen like my hon. Friend who asked the question, the very gravest anxiety as to the negligence that has taken place in reference to the whole of the operations in Mesopotamia?

Sir A. MARKHAM

Worse than the Dardanelles!

The PRIME MINISTER

There is no desire, I need hardly say, to keep back anything. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!"] Why should there be? The House is entitled to have, and I hope it will have, the fullest possible information given to it. No one is more desirous than the Government—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—that the matter should be thoroughly discussed, but I do not think this is a particularly opportune moment for it.

HON. MEMBERS

Why?

The PRIME MINISTER

For reasons which I cannot properly disclose. I do not think it is a very opportune moment. The other suggestion that we are burking the matter, or desire to avoid discussion, is entirely unfounded. In regard to what the right hon. and learned Gentleman has said as to the condition of the troops in Mesopotamia, that is a matter which is engaging our daily attention, and most careful steps are being taken to remedy the defects which have been proved to exist and to. supply immediate necessities. I can assure my right hon. and learned Friend that no one is more alive to the need of doing that than is His Majesty's Government itself, but I do not think the present the proper moment for discussion.

Sir E. CARSON

I shall put a question to the right hon. Gentleman early next week, and, in the event of not getting a satisfactory answer, I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House.

Sir H. DALZIEL

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to see whether it would not be possible to give the additional Papers promised as early as possible?

The PRIME MINISTER

I will deal with that tomorrow.

Colonel HERBERT

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman does not consider that it would be in the national interest now to fix the responsibility for the economy that has governed and hampered the whole of the Mesopotamia Campaign from its initiation until a few months ago upon individuals?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is the same question as has already been asked.